26 March 2025

The University of Nicosia (UNIC) hosted the UNIC Health Student Research Conference on 12 March 2025. The event was organised by the Medical School Student Society and the Medical Students Research Society, in collaboration with students of the School of Veterinary Medicine and faculty of UNIC Health. The conference provided a platform for students to present their research through oral and e-poster presentations. The programme included 14 abstract presentations, covering topics including rare disease case reports, innovative cardiac surgeries, and results of primary research and evidence syntheses in different medical areas.

Beyond the presentations, attendees had the opportunity to participate in an interactive workshop, ‘Data Rx: A Crash Course in Python and AI for Future Physicians’, led by Aswinshankar Sivalingam, MD2. A highlight was the presentation of ‘pHera’, a medical start-up that won first place at both the i-Days Nicosia 2024 finals and the European i-Days competition in Budapest, along with the Public Choice Award. The team included Karthikayini Gomathinayagam, MD3, Ron Poon, MD3, and Alma Sato, MD6.

The conference concluded with an awards ceremony:

  • Best Oral Presentation Award: Liranne Bitton, MD5, for her presentation, ‘Beating Heart Pulmonary Valve Replacement: Technique of Pulmonary Valve Replacement with a Biological Valve’.
  • Best e-Poster Presentation Award: Aikaterini Katramadou, MD3, for her poster, ‘D-2 Hydroxyglutaric Aciduria Type II: Expanding the Phenotypic Spectrum and Exploring IDH Inhibitors as a Therapeutic Approach’.
  • Most Innovative Research Award: Rim Copti, GEMD1, for her study, ‘Neurodevelopmental and Neurobehavioral Effects of THC and CBD Exposure During Embryonic and Fetal Development’.
  • Dr Lakis C. Anastassiades Prize: Socratis Konstantinidis, MD6, for his contribution to the School, the community, student support, and work in science and education.

Award winners
L-R: Rim Copti, Aikaterini Katramadou, Socratis Konstantinidis, Liranne Bitton

This year, we observed strong participation and interest throughout the conference. For all students and faculty members, this was an opportunity to engage with new ideas, develop interdisciplinary connections, and gain insights that will guide future careers in healthcare. The conference contributed to the broader academic conversation, enriching our understanding of medicine and its many complexities, while providing opportunities for collaboration among students and faculty.

We thank all participants and look forward to future conferences.

Original text by Aikaterini Katramadou, MD3, Alexis Tripodis, MD3, Michaela Takos, MBBS F-year.

Edited version.